Job 24

1 Why doesn’t the Almighty reserve time for judgment? and why don’t those who know him perceive his days?ISV — Job 24:1

2 They move boundary stones, ^{a24:2 Or borders} steal flocks, and pasture them. ^{b24:2 The Heb. lacks them}ISV — Job 24:2

3 They drive away the orphan’s donkey; they take the ox of the widow as security for a loan; ^{c24:3 The Heb. lacks for a loan}ISV — Job 24:3

4 They push the needy off the road, and force the poor of the land into hiding.ISV — Job 24:4

5 “Look! Like wild donkeys in the wilderness, they work diligently as they seek wild game in the desert, food for them and their young ones.ISV — Job 24:5

6 They reap fodder in the field and glean in the vineyard of the wicked.ISV — Job 24:6

7 They spend the night naked, without clothing, with no covering against the cold.ISV — Job 24:7

8 They are wet from mountain rains; without shelter, they cling to a rock.ISV — Job 24:8

9 “The fatherless are torn from the breast; the poor are taken away as security for a loan. ^{d24:9 The Heb. lacks for a loan}ISV — Job 24:9

10 They wander around naked, without clothes; hungry, though they carry sheaves of grain. ^{e24:10 The Heb. lacks grain}ISV — Job 24:10

11 They press oil between the olive groves owned by the wicked; they suffer from thirst, even while treading the winepress.ISV — Job 24:11

12 From the city, dying men groan aloud, and the wounded cries out for help, but God charges no one with wrong.ISV — Job 24:12

13 “Then there are those who rebel against the light; they are not acquainted with its ways; and they don’t stay on its course. ^{f24:13 Or path}ISV — Job 24:13

14 The murderer rises at dawn to kill the poor and needy; at night, he is like a thief.ISV — Job 24:14

15 The adulterer watches for twilight, ^{g24:15 Lit. twilight} saying, ‘No eye is watching me’ while he veils his face.ISV — Job 24:15

16 They break into houses in the dark; during the day they remained sealed in. They don’t know daylight.ISV — Job 24:16

17 As a group, deep darkness is their morning time; fear that lives in darkness is their friend.”ISV — Job 24:17

18 “They remain only a short time on the water’s surface; their inheritance will be cursed in the land; no one will work in their vineyards.ISV — Job 24:18

19 As drought and heat evaporate melting snow, that’s what Sheol ^{h24:19 i.e. the realm of the afterlife} does with sinners.ISV — Job 24:19

20 The womb will forget them. Maggots will find them to be a delicacy! They won’t be remembered anymore, their iniquity will be cut to pieces like firewood. ^{i24:20 Lit. like a tree}ISV — Job 24:20

21 “They prey on the barren woman, and do no favors for widows.ISV — Job 24:21

22 God ^{j24:22 Lit. He} prolongs the life of the strong by his power, but they get up in the morning ^{k24:22 The Heb. lacks in the morning} without purpose in life.ISV — Job 24:22

23 He gives them security and financial support, but he watches everything they do.ISV — Job 24:23

24 They’re exalted momentarily, but then they are gone; they are humbled, ^{l24:24 Or brought low} just like all the others. They are cut down like heads of corn.ISV — Job 24:24

25 If this weren’t so, who can prove that I’m a liar by showing that there’s nothing to what I’m saying?”ISV — Job 24:25